Black dog syndrome is a myth

Myths and negative stereotypes do not help dogs get adopted. Shelter volunteers love to use them, though, and it’s hurting the dogs.

“We have so many unwanted pitbulls,” a volunteer might say to a potential adopter.

But pitbulls are far from “unwanted.” They’re among the most popular types of dogs in America.

“We also have tons of black dogs,” the volunteer might say. “They’ve been here for months.”

Yikes! What the heck is wrong with those dogs?

We have to let go of these myths. They’re just not helping dogs get home. If your shelter is full of black dogs, it’s not because the dogs are unwanted. It’s because your shelter has a marketing problem.

‘Black dog syndrome’

Shelter workers cling to the idea that black dogs are the last to get adopted.

“Black dog syndrome” is a negative stereotype, and I’d like to see it gone.

It’s terrible to think that my sweet, gentle boy could end up killed in a shelter just because he’s black. Oh yeah, he’s also gray. That’s two strikes.

Please stop repeating that “black dogs are the last to get adopted.” People are killing healthy black dogs every day because they say “no one wants them.”

2. Black dogs are popular.

Black dogs are not “overlooked” or “the least desirable.” Black dogs are normal dogs, and they’re popular! Just about everyone knows someone with a big, black dog.

The Lab is the most popular purebred dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club. And black is the most common coat color in Labs. Shelters should embrace that fact – “You want a black dog? We got’m!”

There’s more good news. People don’t always want purebred dogs. They just want good dogs, dogs that are friendly, calm and obedient. Potential adopters can be convinced to take home a mixed-breed black dog if he’s a nice dog.

What are some ways you highlight your shelter’s black dogs in a positive way?

13 Readers Commented

I would just like to add that shelters take horrible photos of dogs and black dogs are some of the hardest to capture with a camera. If they invested in some time on taking better photos I bet more dogs would be adopted including black dogs.

I agree. I bet if they actively sought out relationships with good photographers who were willing to come by to take pictures of the dogs (and cats!) with coloring that didn’t photograph well, they’d have a lot more luck getting those pets adopted. And it’s a really great way that animal-loving photographers could give back in a really unique, skill-specific way.

I agree. Some groups certainly take the time to get beautiful photos of all the dogs, or at least decent ones. Others, mostly pounds, make no effort at all.

My post from last week is a perfect example of pound photography at its finest. I know pound workers might be busy, but if they truly care about saving more lives, they could take five minutes to get a better photo.

I’m thankful I didn’t have a chance to see my dog’s website photo prior to adopting him, or I would have been laughing too hard to fill out the application correctly. I have to give them credit–they tried. They took him outside where his black fur would shine in the sun, and they moved his upper lip to hide his snaggletooth (grr), and they gave him…blue bows to highlight his almost nonexistent ears…I mean, nothing quite says ‘regal’ like a lion cut with frilly blue bows, right?

I have that photo framed, now. It’s much easier to believe the bows were the reason it took him a while to get adopted, rather than putting faith in ‘black dog syndrome.’

Excellent points! Could it simply just appear to be more black dogs not being adopted because there are more black dogs in society as a whole? Because black is the most common dog coat color, I bet more black dogs also get adopted than any other color.

Yes you’re right – we have a black dog and she’s beautiful. Glad to see someone challenging the stereotype. We ran a feature on our Facebook page (healthmuttuk) recently called ‘black dogs are beautiful’ and our fans sent in their best black dog photos to share – they are harder to photograph but not impossible as we got to see!

This is the first I have heard of the “black dog” myth. I just adopted a black lab, pit bull mix from the pound. She had been there for 3 months according to her paper work. She is a one of the sweetest and friendliest dogs I have ever had. Very smart too. She learns very quickly. It would have been an awful shame, if she had been put down because of her color and breed. I’m so happy to have her as our newest part of our family.

I’ve been at a shelter for 2 years. Recently this Black Dog Syndrome was posted on one of our sites. It was posted by a person who is member of several other groups, some of whom I would consider fanatics and not at all helpful to the cause of getting our animals adopted; but rather at alienating people that we need. I have NEVER seen anything showing that black dogs are adopted less. Never. And in researching, I have come across NO facts or evidence to support this. Seems to have started with some saying ‘I think I’ve noticed that black dogs are harder to place…’ Nothing but this. And it has gone on to become ‘syndrome’ and newsworthy. This is a shame for all of us. It’s not true and yet it has snowballed. Please don’t believe everything at face value. It is an attempt for attention. Attention to shelter animals is good, but it should be factual.

the problem with this BS (beside being based on nothing) – is can do harm. Since it’s become so fashionable, I’m afraid people are going to start wondering about black dogs. This kind of thing does NOT help our animals get adopted. And that is what I’m at the shelter for.

i have seen this in the showring where a judge will not pick a black dog even if the black dog is superior. i asked someone, a trainer/handler abt this and they said black dogs do not show as well, meaning, looking at them from away, something abt them does not show as well, even if they are much better than the other dogs. funny, people dont like all black cats either. with horses, if you have striking all black horse, they usually show well and place if they do well in the ring. i know the shelters in my area, have “specials” for all black dogs and cats. i have mini schnauzers and they come in salt and pepper, black and silver and black. i prefer the black and silver. my breeder had a gorgeous black male. no one would place him. strange b/c as soon as he came out of the ring, people were going up to her and telling her she got robbed. told her she had the best dog. people’s perceptions need to change abt black pets as well as breed specific pets. it is not the pet, but the owner or person who breed and raised the pet. i dont know of any suggestions, maybe paint them with bright colors or put a really bright collar on them during adoption events so they stand out. i know in some breeds there are more black dogs than other colors. some dogs only come in black, for akc show standard purposes.